Bow string releasing device

ABSTRACT

A hand gripped bow string release device formed in the shape of a loop from a continuous length of rigid resilient matter such as metal or plastic with a bow string receiving space formed by parallel portions formed in the front face. A widened central portion or nock portion is formed in the parallel portions for receiving an arrow formed by overlapping parallel end parts of the loop which will retain a bow string between the end parts and parallel portions having short end segments that are turned inwardly across the space between the parallel portions. The bow string is released by rotation of the device thus permitting a bow string to slip off the short segments and pass through the space between the parallel portions and propel a nocked arrow that has been positioned in a nock portion.

United States Patent 11 Kees [ Aug. 26, 1975 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne 5 7 ABSTRACT A hand gripped bow string release device formed in the shape of a loop from a continuous length of rigid resilient matter such as metal or plastic with a bow string receiving space formed by parallel portions formed in the front face. A widened central portion or nock portion is formed in the parallel portions for receiving an arrow formed by overlapping parallel end parts of the loop which will retain a bow string between the end parts and parallel portions having short end segments that are turned inwardly across the space between the parallel portions. The bow string is released by rotation of the device thus permitting a bow string to slip off the short segments and pass through the space between the parallel portions and propel a nocked arrow that has been positioned in a neck portion.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BOW STRING RELEASING DEVICE This invention relates to an improved arrow releasing device.

In archery the arrow nock is engaged with the string of the bow and, under conventional practices, it is so held by the fingers of the archer while the string is pulled, the arrow nock and string being ultimately manually released, causing the shooting of the arrow in the desired direction. The above conventional practice, in respect to shooting an arrow from a bow, makes the accuracy of the shot dependent upon the operation of the archers fingers in releasing the bow string and nocked arrow. Even with an expert archer there is lack of uniformity in respect to repeated manual releases of ar rows. In the conventional archery practice the element of deflection is always more or less present when the bow string is released off the tips of the fingers. Furthermore, it is hard on the fingers and some archers find it necessary to wear finger protectors or gloves. In conventional release procedures, momentary relaxation or inattention can result in accidental release.

Numerous bow string and arrow releasing devices have been proposed which alleviate some of the disadvantages of the conventional releasing practice. However, in most instances, these devices have the undesirable feature of employing a plurality of moving parts in accomplishing their purpose. Furthermore, releases of a one-piece construction have also been proposed, but these operate by rotation about the axis of the bow string and therefore fail to alleviate the deflection problem. The present invention is of simpler construction than previously proposed devices.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an arrow releasing device which is of simple unitary construction and which is convenient to use while providing a uniform accurate release of the arrow. A further advantage of the present invention is that it tends to grip the bow string and thus remains attached thereto while the bow is being carried.

A further advantage of the invention is that the bow string is released along a straight line without sideways deflection, and release is achieved by slight rotation of the device with the arrow shaft as the axis of rotation. Another advantage of the device is achieved by the fact that a slight inward spring tension against the nock is provided thus holding the arrow firmly in place.

The foregoing and further advantages of the invention will be understood from the specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the device illustrating a one piece construction.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device showing the bow string and nocked arrow engaged, with the string and arrow shown in fragmentation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device with a string and arrow shown in fragmentation illustrating how it is held in the bow string when the bow is drawn.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is seen in FIG. 1 a single piece embodiment of the invention constructed from metal or rigid plastic. As seen from the three figures of the drawing device 10 is in the general shape of a loop having end portions 14 and 12 which lie in parallel overlapping relationship with each other. The parallel portions of the loop are connected to the remainder thereof, 22, by short segments 13 and 15 which lie in the same plane as the parallel portions but are normal thereto. At the center of these parallel portions 12 and 14 is an outward bend formed by curved portions 16 and 18 which provide a space 20 large enough to tightly hold the nock or end of an arrow. Portion 22 of the loop provides a convenient handle for holding the device during use and is made of dimensions sufficiently large to permit a gloved hand to fit comfortably into it.

The free ends 24 and 26 of the parallel portions, 12 and 14, as seen in the drawings, are depressed or undercut toward the center of the loop to assist in holding a bowstring passing thereunder. Ends 24 and 26 are also turned inwardly across the space between parallel portions 12 and 14 a short distance toward the center of the loop. Ends 24 and 26 are also approximately parallel to segments 13 and 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the location of the bowstring 30 in the device is shown. Also shown is arrow 32 having a nock 34. In FIG. 3 the archers hand 30 is shown to illustrate the manner of gripping the device during use.

The space between parallel portions 12 and 14 is just large enough to snugly fit over bowstring 30 and nock 34 of arrow 32 fits snugly into space 20. The tops of ends 24 and 26 approximately in line with the bottoms of segments 13 and 15. Thus when the device is slipped over bowstring 30 there is a slight up and down bending of the bowstring over the top of end 24 under segments 13 and 15 and over the top of end 26. This tends to hold the device firmly on the bowstring until the string is drawn. Thus the bow can be carried with the device on it easily without fear of dropping the device. As seen at FIG. 2, however, drawing of the bowstring releases string 30 from the tops of ends 24 and 26 and thus the string is automatically loosened and readily released from the device when the string is let go from it to shoot the arrow.

The device is easily placed over the string by passing the string through the space between portions 12 and 14 and then rotating the device slightly so that the string passes under the segments 13 and 15. The device shown in the drawings is a left handed model and a right handed model would be a mirror image of the device which is shown. The device shown in the drawings is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 to firmly engage the string. Usually the arrow is nocked on the bow string and the device is then slipped over them easily. However, if desired, the nock of the arrow can be placed in space 20 conveniently after the string is engaged by the device.

In operation the device is pulled back as shown in FIG. 3 maintaining a slight rotation to keep the string securely under segments 13 and 15. After sighting of the arrow on the target the arrow is released by a slight counter rotation of the device which allows the string to slip off of segments 13 and 15 and through the space between parallel sections 12 and 14. Release is therefore on a straight line insuring minimum sidewise deflection of the arrow. In practice the rotation of the device is so slight that it is nearly not noticeable to the naked eye. It will also be apparent that the possibility of cutting or burning of the fingers upon release of the string is avoided. I

It will be apparent from the drawings also that the design of the present device provides pivot points located at the ends of segments 13 and 15 for the string as the device is rotated. Since these pivot points are quite widely separated from the neck only a small amount of rotation is needed to release the device. If desired the junction of segments 13 and 15 with loop 22 may be undercut slightly to assist in holding the string until it is released. The string tension on the pivot points assists the archer in rotating the device from the drawn position of the bow to the release position. It will be further noted from the drawings that the rotation of the device upon shooting of the arrow takes place around the arrow shaft. This assures simultaneous release of both string points.

The device of the present invention can be constructed from a variety of satisfactory materials. For example, 5 1 inch bronze brazing rod provides ideal amount of rigidity with sufficient elasticity to permit slight springing of the device or separation of the parallel segments 12 and 14 to permit insertion of strings of different thickness and arrow nocks of different sizes.

Other metals such as aluminum or steel may be used. Rigid plastic materials such as nylon, acrylics, polycarbonates and polyvinyl chloride may be used if desired.

The device in the drawings is shown to be all of one piece, however, if the device is made from a plastic material it is preferable to form it in three pieces for example, providing an enlarged end on segments 12 and 14,

-and providing a hole in such enlarged end into which segments 13 and 15 can be inserted. The portions are then either adhered or molded together to form a unitary construction. Various other equivalent materials and methods of construction of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Obviously, slight changes in the design construction and dimensions or proportions of the parts of my invention can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles thereof, the above setting forth only preferred forms or embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An arrow releasing device for drawing and releasing a bowstring and arrow comprising a unitary length of rod formed in the general shape of a loop;

A. portions of said loop adjacent both ends thereof being in adjacent parallel alignment with each other and being spaced apart a short generally uniform distance,

B. except at the center of said portions at which point the rod portions are separated a greater distance to form an arrow nock positioning point,

C. said parallel portions of the rod being connected to the loop at opposite ends by a short segment of the rod which lies in a plane substantially normal to the parallel portion and is bent away therefrom,

D. the free ends of the parallel portions being turned inwardly across the space between the parallel portions a short distance,

E. the opposite side of said loop from said parallel portions being integrally attached to said short segments and providing means for grasping said device during use.

2. A device according to claim 1 comprising a unitary length of metal rod.

3. A device according to claim 1 comprising a rigid plastic material.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the parallel portions of the loop are in a plane normal to the plane in which the opposite side of said loop lies.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the short segments are undercut to assist in holding a bowstring passed thereunder.

6. A device according to claim 3 formed of pieces molded together to form a unitary construction, at least one of said pieces having an enlarged end provided with a hole into which one of said other pieces is fitted and molded. 

1. An arrow releasing device for drawing and releasing a bowstring and arrow comprising a unitary length of rod formed in the general shape of a loop; A. portions of said loop adjacent both ends thereof being in adjacent parallel alignment with each other and being spaced apart a short generally uniform distance, B. except at the center of said portions at which point the rod portions are separated a greater distance to form an arrow nock positioning point, C. said parallel portions of the rod being connected to the loop at opposite ends by a short segment of the rod which lies in a plane substantially normal to the parallel portion and is bent away therefrom, D. the free ends of the parallel portions being turned inwardly across the space between the parallel portions a short distance, E. the opposite side of said loop from said parallel portions being integrally attached to said short segments and providing means for grasping said device during use.
 2. A device according to claim 1 comprising a unitary length of metal rod.
 3. A device according to claim 1 comprising a rigid plastic material.
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the parallel portions of the loop are in a plane normal to the plane in which the opposite side of said loop lies.
 5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the short segments are undercut to assist in holding a bowstring passed thereunder.
 6. A device according to claim 3 formed of pieces molded together to form a unitary construction, at least one of said pieces having an enlarged end provided with a hole into which one of said other pieces is fitted and molded. 